It's not that Alabamians purchased the most. But Alabama saw the nation's largest spike in applications for firearm background checks, a sudden rise of 145 percent, between the months of October and December.

Federal background checks spiked in every single state following the presidential election and the shooting in Newtown, according to FBI data on background checks. Background checks normally rise before Christmas. But as 2012 ended with debate over gun control, the rise went well beyond the normal uptick for holiday shopping.

And the increased interest wasn't limited to the South.

Tennessee saw background checks rise 130 percent between October and December, the second largest spike. But an al.com analysis of federal background checks shows Tennessee was followed in order by Delaware, Mississippi, Oregon and Virginia. In all, 16 states filed for more than twice as many firearm background checks in December as in October. That includes Ohio, Rhode Island and Nevada.

The data comes from the FBI, and is not a perfect match with sales, as states have different requirements for checks and some customers are denied. But the rising interest in gun ownership is clear.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, December 2012 marked the highest number of background checks ever. The NSSF, based in Newtown, Conn., is the firearm trade association.

Nationally, Kentucky saw the smallest spike at the end of 2012, with background checks up just 17 percent from October to December. But that's because, according to the NSSF, Kentucky already conducts many more checks than other states, routinely inquiring about people who hold active concealed carry permits.

For perspective, Kentucky filled out 6 background check applications for every 10 citizens. No other state sees a fraction as much activity per capita.

Data source: NICS Firearm Background Checks, 2012

In terms of applications per capita, Alabama ranked 10th, with roughly nine background checks for every 100 citizens in 2012. However, Alabama jumped to 7th in background checks per capita during a busy December.

NSSF, which adjusts for those extra checks by Kentucky and a couple other states, found a small rise already starting nationwide in January of 2012 over January of 2011. Checks in June were up 25 percent over June of 2011. But the spike grows largest by year's end, as the NSSF's adjusted numbers show the FBI handled about 1.4 million checks in December of 2011 compared to more than 2.2 million in December of 2012. That's a year-over-year jump of 59 percent.

NSSF reports that December 2012 marked the 31st consecutive month that checks rose over the same month in the previous year.

According to the FBI, the National Instant Criminal Background System, or NICS, was launched in 1998. Federal Firearms Licensees can use the system to determine who is eligible to buy a firearm, checking for categories such as illegal aliens, fugitives, convicts, those who have been committed, individuals currently under restraining orders and military personnel who were dishonorably discharged.

"Before ringing up the sale, cashiers call in a check to the FBI or to other designated agencies to ensure that each customer does not have a criminal record or isn't otherwise ineligible to make a purchase. More than 100 million such checks have been made in the last decade, leading to more than 700,000 denials," reads the FBI information on the NICS web page.

However, recent political debate has turned to flaws in the system. For instance, states are not legally required to supply the records necessary to maintain a meaningful federal database. And unlicensed gun sellers can get around the system.

Updated on Jan. 10 at 7:44 p.m. to show Tennessee saw the second largest spike in background checks between October and December.

1, unlicensed gun sellers = private citizens legally selling their private property to other citizens who want to use them for legal personal reasons

2, criminal gun sellers = criminals selling stolen guns to other criminals (most of whom are felons), who want to use them for criminal reasons

It is the first category, above, which is the "gun show loophole" gun grabbers are so heated to close. The last category will remain open no matter what the laws says. In fact, our DOJ has already facilitated the sale of thousands of guns in that last category. It is known as "Fast and Furious" and is responsible for the deaths of at least hundreds if not thousands of people on both sides of our border.

It's not that Alabamians purchased the most. But Alabama saw the nation's largest spike in applications for firearm background checks, a sudden rise of 145 percent, between the months of October and December.

Did this "journalist" ever take math? Alabama had the highest spike on a percentage increase basis while Texas had the largest spike in terms of numbers of applications. Not sure why they focused so much on Alabama given the huge increase in Texas

aol.com is controlled by the Alabama Media Group. They control the newspapers in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Mobile. In OCT 2012, they went to a 3-day week publication schedule. They are funneling folks to this web-site as part of their business model. As part of their cost-cutting measures, they have reduced the number of local/ state reporters. The editorial board in Birmingham has swung to the extreme far left in the last 3 years. They are carrying BHO's water big time on most every issue, especially gun control.

Yeah. We danged Alabamians are gun crazy nuts. I love it. I just sold a gun. Had tons of calls to purchase it. I actually would not sell it unless I saw ID, and if you had a weapons carry permit. I am not going to sell some gang banger a weapon. I sold it too a guy who asked me to do a back ground check on him if I wanted too. My cousin is sheriff and it would be easy to do so. He had no problem with me making a copy of his drivers licenses for my records. Folks around here are honest. We take care of each other. We watch out for our neighbor’s house when they are gone. Local gun shop hardly has any guns or ammo. They have had a massive run on all of it.

It would be interesting to know the volume of ammo sales. I heard on the radio that Vt. had a 60% increase in gun sales for this time period. That’s quite an increase considering the fact that private sales are common.

I’ve made my contribution; 5 new guns since the election. I bought a Sig P250 (because I didn’t have a 9mm), a Barretta Neos (because I didn’t have a .22 pistol), and another 870 (just because) the day after the election. I bought my son a Savage Model 11 for his Christmas present, and a Mossberg 715T (because they happened to have one at Walmart when I went to check ammunition stocks last Sunday).

That’s what I’ve heard, but if we move, it will be to a state that’s reliably anti Obama overall as well. This is important. Those states are where businesses will move, where doctors will move, and where patients who are willing to pursue freedom will move. Bama, MS, TX, OK look good. I don’t believe those saying TX is turning blue. I think the red folks moving in soon will negate that southern border issue.

But I’ve heard Baldwin County is awesome, and Fairhope I’ve heard is charming.

It's not that Alabamians purchased the most. But Alabama saw the nation's largest spike in applications for firearm background checks, a sudden rise of 145 percent, between the months of October and December.

Why, I do believe those old boys intend to be a .... problem for Barky Boy when he declares his Dictatorship of the Proletariat!

Might just correlate to that giant Confederate flag on I-65 north of Monkeytown, ya think? We are talkin' heah about failyuh to comMEWnicate!! </Strother Martin>

Well, most people believe it gradually is, including lots of Republicans, because of "demographics" helped by George Soros's state-flipping project that rolled Colorado to a blue state six years ago.

It involves basically getting control of the secretary of state's position and then getting illegals to the polls with phony credentials, "helped" and egged on by ACORN types (whatever they call themselves these days, they're still the same old vote-fraud mills).

93% 'undiverse' Iowa went for Ø Guess its a 'proximity' thing, dontchaknow...

May I hazard a WAG? Iowa and northern Missouri have tons of old-ethnic German-Americans who, during the Civil War, were solidly pro-Lincoln.

The reason for this -- and I think it still operates today -- is that Germans have a strong cultural orientation toward authoritarianism that didn't fall into the ocean when they immigrated. Even Texas Germans were Unionists in 1860-1861, and very prickly about it -- some of them were lynched for their outspokenness and possible involvement in Lincoln's underground Wide Awakes (who were accused of plotting slave rebellions and arson campaigns).

Let me clarify what I meant when I said I don’t believe Texas is turning blue. What I meant was I don’t believe it will ever go blue, though I am aware of the forces you mentioned that are bluing it slowly. I also meant that there will be a tide of very red voting folks moving in as well.

I put a nice Wolf 19lb hammer spring into it before ‘distributing it’ ... DA pull is now manageably smooth. The Yugo M57s cleaned up nicely; nearly new. Found holsters for them too. Extra mags were $25 each, but were brand new never used. They cleaned up nicely too. The CZ82 came in a used holster but was brand spankin’ new. Those little maks pistols have an exceptional DA/SA trigger. I have one around here, somewhere. Working on shotguns now.

I finally sent al.com an email about the liberal slant of their website...not that it will do any good. Their reporting is pitiful and doesn't reflect or cater to the mindset of many conservative AL residents. They don't even bother to hide it anymore!

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